The home's ceiling fans provide an inexpensive way to circulate the interior air for both hot and cool days. Over time, the blades can become loose from the constant motion. These drooping blades can cause the entire fan to act erratically. Not only will the fan's internal components suffer from extra wear, but the drooping blades may become a danger for those nearby, depending on the height of the ceiling. A few key adjustment tips will allow you to repair the blades safely.

1

Access the fan with a ladder. Ask a friend to hold the ladder's base for added safety while working on the appliance.

2

Inspect each blade and the irons that connect the blades to the fan's hardware. Any obvious cracks or damage to the blade irons indicates that they should be replaced rather than straightened. Attempting to straighten damaged blade irons can result in injury.

3

Tighten the screws securing the blades to the main fan assembly with a screwdriver. Depending on the ceiling fan model, there may be two to three screws for each blade.

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4

Wipe each blade's surface with a damp rag. Clean both sides of the blades so that they cut through the air with more ease during use.

5

Press a piece of masking tape onto each blade's visible surface. Number each blade sequentially with a pen.

6

Measure the distance from the first blade's tip to the ceiling with a measuring tape. Notate the measured value on the blade's masking tape with a pen.

7

Repeat Step 5 for the remaining individual blades, bringing each blade to the position of the first blade. Any blades that are further below the ceiling than the majority of the blades should be bent upward to straighten the drooping. Pushing the blades upward will slightly bend the irons.

8

Locate a fan blade that has a larger measured value than the other blades.

9

Hold the fan's motor with one hand. Press the drooping blade tip upward slightly with your other hand.

10

Verify that all the distances between fan blades and the ceiling are now equal among all the blades. Repeat the bending procedure if all the values are still not equal.

11

Peel the masking tape from each blade.

12

Activate the fan at the wall switch. Observe the blade's motion. It should not have any drooping blades.

Things Needed

Ladder

Screwdriver

Rag

Masking tape

Measuring tape

Warnings

Do not run the fan while you are standing on the ladder. The blades can easily strike you and cause injury.

References

Photo Credits

Thinkstock Images/Comstock/Getty Images

About the Author

Writing professionally since 2010, Amy Rodriguez cultivates successful cacti, succulents, bulbs, carnivorous plants and orchids at home. With an electronics degree and more than 10 years of experience, she applies her love of gadgets to the gardening world as she continues her education through college classes and gardening activities.